Latics step up striker search

ATHLETIC’S hunt for a striker continues following Saturday’s frustrating goalless draw at Notts County.

The visitors to Meadow Lane looked rock-solid in what was a sixth fixture without defeat - but Athletic missed chances in what was their second scoreless effort in three straight draws.

Assistant boss Tommy Wright has revealed that the search for a proven front man is still very much a priority: “There’s nobody on the horizon, but we are trying. We’re looking for someone and thankfully we’ve had the go-ahead from the chairman to bring in people.

“People keep telling us we need a striker, but there’s not many about. We’ve got our eye on a few players, and if someone comes along we’ll do something, but nothing is happening just yet.”

Last season’s leading scorer with 12 goals, Danny Philliskirk, was dropped to the bench for the trip to Nottingham. He is still without a goal this season after 11 appearances, though when he did enter the fray in the second half against the Magpies, he was a threat.

Wright and manager Lee Johnson felt the time was right to give Bolton youth loanee Conor Wilkinson a start.

“All strikers go through barren spells, it’s one of those things,” said Wright. “I thought he’d scored with a header towards the end, and that maybe would have kicked him on.”